Joy remains Unabated for Botti
UNABATED followed up his course-and-distance win in March in the opening race at Newcastle.
Sent off at 13-2 for the Betfredsponsored six-furlong handicap, Marco Botti’s three-year-old was taking on his elders for the first time but always looked to be travelling smoothly.
Daniel Muscutt kept Unabated up to his work to hold off Northgate Lad by a neck.
Having taken on the likes of The Last Lion, Blue Point and Harry Angel last season, he has found things much easier in handicaps but is due to step back up in class.
“I don’t think all-weather is the key to him as he had good form on the grass at two but he wouldn’t want it too quick,” said Muscutt.
“It’s a good training performance. There’s been nothing wrong with him but the races haven’t quite been right so I thought he could need the run as he’s quite a big horse.
“I think he’s got a really big future and next year he could be top class over six furlongs.”
London Prize is a stayer on the up and he ground out a win in the valuable Betfred Northumberland Vase Handicap.
Run as the consolation race for horses who missed the cut, there was £70,000 up for grabs but only 12 went to post.
Always handy under Fran Berry as the pace was only steady, the dual-purpose performer, who had won the Imperial Cup at Sandown, was sent for home some way out.
While he never had it easy, London Prize always looked to be holding Graceland and pulled away in the closing stages to strike by a neck – landing some hefty bets as the 7-4 favourite.
“They went no pace so I didn’t want to sit too far back as I knew it would turn into a sprint,” said Berry.
“He’s an improving horse and is a real strong stayer.”